Social Action & Science

Being With DyingThis Professional Training Program for Clinicians in Compassionate Care of the Seriously Ill and Dying is fostering a revolution in care of the dying and seriously ill. Clinicians learn essential tools for taking care of dying people with skill and compassion.

ChaplaincyA visionary and comprehensive two-year program for a new kind of chaplaincy to serve individuals, communities, the environment, and the world.

Roshi Joan Halifax on Engaged Buddhism

One of the shadows of buddhism is to interpret it as just transforming ourselves internally. Engaged buddhism has a very different perspective (and so did the Buddha), exemplified by the many powerful engaged buddhists in the world today, including the Dalai Lama, the Karmapa, Stephanie Kaza, Thich Nhat Hanh, Ariyaratne, Joanna Macy, Sulak Sivaraksa, Bernie Glassman, Ouyporn Khaunkaew and many others.

Yes, we have to deal with the kleshas that give rise to our personal suffering and cause suffering in the wider world. At the same time, we must actualize the vows of the bodhisattvas, to transform the suffering of this whole world. And this means taking a stand against cruelty, and working directly to end suffering, whether we are against drones, gitmo, human trafficking, monsanto, gmo’s, environmental destruction, corrupt politics, death penalty, gender bias, sexual violence, poverty, structural violence, homelessness, cruelty to animals, abandonment of the dying, exploitation of children, and so much more. The list is long. Indeed, no end to opportunities for our engagement!